If you’ve decided to finally pursue your dream of becoming a dental assistant, you’re probably looking forward to your first interview. However, there’s a good chance you might also feel a little nervous; it’s never easy going into a job interview, especially if you’re unsure about what they’re going to ask you. Continue reading below to get an idea about some of the questions your interviewer will ask you during this process, so that you’re adequately prepared and ready to impress!
1. Behavioral Questions
A staple in dental assistant interviews, you can expect to be asked questions about how you’ve handled situations in the past, especially those that have caused stress or adversity. This is so your interviewer can better gauge how you might potentially act in the future; it’s more-or-less something that any sensible interviewer will ask a potential employee. Expect to discuss your previous work experiences, how you’ve dealt with difficult patients, and how you’ve resolved internal conflicts within a team. These questions assess your communication skills, empathy, and your all-important ability to remain composed under pressure.
2. Clinical and Technical Questions
Dental assistants must possess a solid foundation of dental knowledge, along with the technical skills to support various dental procedures. Interviews will typically ask questions about dental instruments and terminology, infection control protocols, equipment sterilization, and numerous chairside assistance techniques. These questions wholly evaluate your practical knowledge, as well as your readiness to perform the job’s numerous technical aspects with the utmost efficacy.
3. Scenario-Based Questions
Scenario-based questions present you with hypothetical, likely-to-occur situations that you might encounter in a dental office. You might be asked about how you would manage a pediatric patient with severe dental anxiety, or how you’d assist a patient suffering from a serious dental emergency. These questions test your critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and capacity to quickly apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. Even if they seem unlikely or farfetched, you’d be surprised at how many unexpected situations unfold in dentistry; being prepared for them is crucial.
4. Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills Questions
Dental assistants are often the first point of contact for patients, making customer service and interpersonal skills paramount. You might be asked to explore how you’d handle an unhappy patient, or how you’d manage patient flow during a very busy day. Your interviewer seeks to understand your ability to provide a positive patient experience, your teamwork capabilities, and your role in building a rapport with patients. The best dental assistants are the ones who greet every patient with a smile and make their time feel valued; show your interviewer that you have this capacity!
Going into any type of interview, you should want to feel prepared – especially if the job in question is dental assisting. That said, keeping these questions in mind will help you nail the interview and enter into your new and exciting career!
About the Green Country School of Dental Assisting
Here at the Green Country School of Dental Assisting, we’ve helped countless aspiring dental assistants learn the ropes and successfully transition into their new, exciting careers. To learn more about our available courses or to request additional enrollment information, please feel free to visit us online or call us today. We can’t wait to hear from you! Telephone: (918) 343-7188.